Abstract:Biobased packaging materials, with their significant advantages of green environmental protection, low cost, and easy degradation, are increasingly becoming the focus of research and practice. Among them, protein thin films have always been a research hotspot in the field of materials science due to their excellent film-forming properties and complex formation mechanisms. In nature, plant derived antibacterial ingredients are abundant and diverse, possessing both natural and safe characteristics. This provides the possibility of combining plant active ingredients with protein matrices to develop composite films with antibacterial functions. The application of such composite films in food packaging can effectively maintain the sensory quality of food and extend its shelf life.This article systematically reviews and studies the latest developments in protein antibacterial films both domestically and internationally. It delves into the film-forming mechanisms and modification techniques of various protein films, and provides a detailed analysis of the types, characteristics, and antibacterial mechanisms of plant-based antibacterial components. Meanwhile, this article also reviews the practical application cases of protein active packaging in food categories such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and aquatic products, and summarizes and prospects its future applications in the field of food packaging. This study aims to provide a solid theoretical foundation and clear research direction for the development and application of protein active packaging films, in order to promote their sustainable development in the future food packaging field.
